Orioles’ Matt Wieters to have Tommy John surgery

Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters has been dealing with an elbow injury for most of the 2014 season. It was initially thought that elbow reconstruction surgery could be avoided, but an MRI Monday said otherwise.

The MRI showed Wieters elbow didn’t improve, and according to MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli, the result was “slightly worse” than the last MRI Wieters had. It was then determined Wieters would have Tommy John surgery.

CA Matt Wieters is scheduled to have right UCL reconstruction tomorrow afternoon. Recovery time expected to be 9 months.

Wieters, who went to College at Georgia Tech, is expected to spend time rehabbing in Atlanta. Renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrew will perform the surgery.

The palmaris longus tendon near Wieters wrist will be moved, and replace the UCL in his elbow. It isn’t exactly clear how Wieters, a catcher, suffered the injury. Wieters reportedly first felt forearm discomfort back in April in a game against the Boston Redsox.

Wieters, 28, is a career .257 hitter over six Major League seasons. He is a two-time All Star and a two-time gold glove winner. He played in only 28 games this season, with his last appearance coming on May 10.